Feature
Animal Hoarding: Recognize the Signs By Alicia Bailey
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ALICIA BAILEY
nimal hoarding is a severe form of animal abuse that often goes undetected until the situation gets out of control. In May of this year, two local hoarding cases made the news. One, in Coachella Valley—a woman was caught disposing of puppies in a dumpster and then found to have 38 animals in her home in deplorable conditions. A second, larger case came to light in Orange, California, where authorities rescued more than 130 animals from a hoarding situation. When these stories come out, communities and pet lovers express outrage and wonder, “How did this “Don’t talk yourself out of calling happen?” or “How could we possibly have known?” It’s easy to turn a blind eye authorities because you don’t want to to those in our community who may be offend someone or cause drama. It’s hoarding. And, without much legislation better to let animal control investigate a defining hoarding, it often goes unseen and suspected hoarder’s home than wonder unreported until it’s out of hand. A hoarder if you failed the pets in need by failing to could be your neighbor who has cats in the heed your instincts and intuition.” window—but you don’t know how many. — Tom Snyder, Animal Samaritans Or it could be the guy down the street who takes in all the stray animals—he’s so nice. urine, vomit, etc. But has he ever actually let you inside his Animals are emaciated, lethargic, and home? not well socialized. Fleas and vermin are present. Warning Signs The individual is isolated from the comAccording to the ASPCA, the signs and munity and appears to neglect him- or symptoms of an animal hoarder include herself. the following: The individual insists that all their They have numerous animals (living animals are happy and healthy—even and dead) and may not know the total when there are clear signs of distress number of animals in their care. and illness. Their home has deteriorated (e.g., dirty windows, broken furniture, holes in the Other signs: walls and floors, extreme clutter). Animals presenting birth defects as a There is a strong smell of ammonia, and result of poor care or unintentional floors may be covered with dried feces, inbreeding.
64 Summer 2019 | petcompanionmag.com
